ADVERTORIAL
We don’ t build houses, we build homes; we build communities
Savanna City is one of the biggest developments of its kind ever undertaken in South Africa. But its sheer size and return on investment were not the core motivations behind the vision for Savanna City and our other developments.
In the freedom era we wanted to be part of the process of changing the housing landscape in South Africa. Literally.
We wanted to create affordable housing that would be attractive to people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our vision is one of creating an environment where people could experience real quality of life in a safe, suburban space. Where people would actively participate in the growth and lifestyle of the development. This is integrated housing.
But really what we want to achieve is to build new communities. Real communities where there is a sense of togetherness and common aspirations. Savanna City is one of those success stories. On final completion it will provide more than 18 000 new homes.
WE LISTEN AND INNOVATE
For us planning a community isn’ t simply about bricks and mortar. The plan has to understand the needs and wants of the people who are going to be living there. We didn’ t just scientifically divide up space. We consulted and took into account the ideas and thoughts of people living in other communities.
For instance, when we realised the need for a park space for kids and for the community as a whole, we didn’ t build houses first and then add a park somewhere on the outskirts. We realised- through consultation- that the park would best serve the needs of the community by being right in the centre of the development. So, unconventionally, we built the park first and then designed and built the houses around the park.
16
SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 2016
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING